By Islamuddin Sajid
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) – Top U.S. envoy for Afghan peace on Friday met Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to discuss efforts aimed at ending the 17-year war in Afghanistan, officials said.
Zalmay Khalilzad arrived in Islamabad this morning along with a high level delegation as part of his tour to the region to facilitate dialogue and negotiations.
“Ambassador Khalilzad briefed the foreign minister on the outcome of Doha talks and his recent engagements in the region. He also shared updates on his meetings in Afghanistan and the dynamics of the intra-Afghan dialogue, ” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
Qureshi praised Khalilzad's efforts and reiterated his commitment to the peace process, adding that intra-Afghan dialogue was a vital component of the reconciliation process.
Earlier on Friday, delegation level talks between Pakistan and U.S. officials were held at the Foreign Office. The Pakistani side was led by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua.
He also met Pakistan army chief Gen. Qamar Bajwa.
The Taliban and the U.S. said after a marathon round of talks in Qatar in February that a draft agreement has been reached for the eventual withdrawal of troops and guarantees Afghanistan would not be allowed to turn into hub of terrorism.
The sixth round of peace talks between the U.S. and Taliban are expected to be held later this month in Doha, Qatar.
It is not yet known whether the Afghan government will attend the talks.
The Afghan government is increasingly feeling sidelined as the Taliban are not willing to talk with Kabul, resulting in a stalemate.
